As people living with HIV/AIDS, we intimately know the many barriers preventing us from achieving the possible, an AIDS free generation. Despite the discovery of the HIV virus in the 1980’s, our youth continue to be poorly educated on sexual health at homes and in our public schools. Stigma is real and continues to be a factor that not only prevents people from getting tested, but also from disclosing their HIV-status and being linked and retained in high quality care, treatment and supportive services.

I didn’t know what to expect from AIDSWatch as a participant, but as an employee I realized early in my fellowship that it involved a lot of work. As a Pedro Zamora fellow working in the office of AIDS United, I saw firsthand the preparation that went into organizing this event. I answered some of the calls from scholarship participants and I got to witness the excitement in the office as the dates of AIDSWatch slowly approached. From the time I started my fellowship in late January, staff was already working diligently to plan fine details. So when the time finally arrived, I was hopeful that this event would be as successful as anticipated.

I have attended AIDSWatch in the past and was excited to be able to participate again. This time — more than before — I felt it important to put a face to AIDS. As a long term survivor having tested positive in 1986, I have survived the “Plague Years.” And though science has made many advances and we are surviving longer there is an even greater need for the Federal Government to finance support services, not only for the newly diagnosed but those of us that are still living. It is important for our lawmakers to realize we would like to live a full life as do all other people living in the United States

My father passed away from AIDS in the early 1990s. Since his death, sharing my story has been intimidating because of HIV/AIDS stigma. Whether it is the fear of judgment or the shame that society inadvertently makes people feel surrounding the disease, most people – me included – shut down and hide themselves. AIDSWatch is a forum that allows people living with HIV/AIDS to share their story with legislators so their voices can finally be heard.